Researchers from the Biomedical Sciences Research Institute at Ulster University have discovered a novel biomarker for predicting early on-set on diabetes in the form of glycated insulin.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder estimated to affect greater than 180 million people worldwide according to the WHO with projections likely to more than double by the year 2030. Type II diabetes is often asymptomatic and its diagnosis is only around 50% with many patients often remaining undiagnosed for several years, especially in the first few years of onset (pre-diabetes). This delay in diagnosis increases the likelihood for diabetic complications.
Pre-diabetes is a major public health challenge in both developed and developing countries. The National Diabetes Association estimate that 16% of adults between 40-74 years in the U.S. have pre-diabetes and it is predicted that those individuals will develop type II diabetes within 10 years.
With no biomarker currently available to detect pre-diabetes and current methods of monitoring the disease using blood glucose or glycated haemoglobin being far from being ideal, there is clearly a need for the development of novel diagnostic technologies which are able to predict persons at risk of developing diabetes.
We have developed an optimized, specific immunoassay which quantifies naturally occurring glycated insulin found to be elevated in newly diagnosed diabetics as well as those patients predisposed to developing the disease. This novel marker has also been validated in a variety of preclinical studies including a diabetic ob/ob mouse model, where we have consistently shown that glycated insulin concentrations are increased at 6 weeks prior to the onset of hyperglycaemia at 9 weeks of age.
An exclusive licensing of Ulster’s D003 patent portfolio provides an opportunity to enhance a licensor’s existing intellectual property pipeline or competitive positioning in this emerging field. In addition, the inventors of this technology are able to provide valuable know-how in order to assist in its successful commercialisation.
For more information please contact:
Dr Oonagh Lynch
Technology Commercialisation Executive
Research & Impact
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9036 6707
Mob: +44 (0) 77 6536 3191
Email:ot.lynch@ulster.ac.uk